A new project in West Belfast aims to support people caring for those with mental health conditions.

The HopeZone was launched at the Woodvale Community Centre this week and will continue at the centre on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 7pm - 9pm.

The project’s aim is to provide support to those in the Greater Shankill area who are caring for people with mental health conditions.

The groups says: “People who have been in a caring for a family member or friend with a mental health condition or find themselves dealing with one crisis after another – know that it is a challenging situation, and often find themselves alone and isolated.

“And while they know that their family member or friend is on their own personal journey and - may or may not be ready for help and support.

“This can lead to frustrations and problems in families and relationships causing distress to caregivers, knowing that their loved one is not ready to accept help yet.

“Friends and family often step in to provide support or a listening ear, but unless they are in the situation with the primary caregiver, they may not understand it fully, and the stressful impact the actions are having on the individuals directly affected.

“The HopeZone will be helpful – a safety net in fact - for the caregiver.”

DUP Councillor Brian Kingston, who chairs a local mental health forum, congratulated all those who have supported the new initiative.

He told Belfast Live: “I must commend the volunteers from local football teams, who are part of SAMHI, the Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Initiative, and Extern who have created this new project.

"They have identified the need to provide support for those who are caring for a friend or family member who has a mental health condition.

“The project provides one-to-one support and counselling, some complementary therapies and mutual support.

“On the SAMHI Forum we are mindful of the stress often experienced by carers and the importance of providing support directly to these important individuals. We will do all that we can to highlight this new initiative and to encourage carers to avail of this support.”

The current members include representatives from, SAMHI, Community First, Extern, and the 22nd Old Boys.

The HopeZone will be brought to different locations within the Greater Shankill area, with times and dates posted on social media.

One of the people behind the project, Stephen Paul of Community First, explained: “You can’t fully understand the community without identifying its assets.